Plasma Ascorbic Acid,A Priori Diet Quality Score,and Incident Hypertension: A Prospective Cohort Study

Vitamin C may reduce risk of hypertension, either in itself or by marking a healthy diet pattern. We assessed whether plasma ascorbic acid and the a priori diet quality score relate to incident hypertension and whether they explain each other’s predictive abilities. Data were from 2884 black and white adults (43% black, mean age 35 years) initially hypertension-free in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Study (study year 10, 1995–1996). Plasma ascorbic acid was assessed at year 10 and the diet quality score at year 7. Eight-hundred-and-forty cases of hypertension were documented between years 10 and 25. After multiple adjustments, each 12-point (1 SD) higher diet quality score at year 7 related to mean 3.7 μmol/L (95% CI 2.9 to 4.6) higher plasma ascorbic acid at year 10. In separate multiple-adjusted Cox regression models, the hazard ratio of hypertension per 19.6-μmol/L (1 SD) higher ascorbic acid was 0.85 (95% CI 0.79–0.92) and per 12-points higher diet score 0.86 (95% CI 0.79–0.94). These hazard ratios changed little with mutual adjustment of ascorbic acid and diet quality score for each other, or when adjusted for anthropometric variables, diabetes, and systolic blood pressure at year 10. Intake of dietary vitamin C and several food groups high in vitamin C content were inversely related to hypertension, whereas supplemental vitamin C was not. In conclusion, plasma ascorbic acid and the a priori diet quality score independently predict hypertension. This suggests that hypertension risk is reduced by improving overall diet quality and/or vitamin C status. The inverse association seen for dietary but not for supplemental vitamin C suggests that vitamin C status is preferably improved by eating foods rich in vitamin C, in addition to not smoking and other dietary habits that prevent ascorbic acid from depletion.     

Changes in the cholesterol content of high-density plasma lipoproteins in guinea pigs in the presence of a raised exogenous cholesterol intake and different degrees of vitamin C saturation

The cholesterol content of the high-density plasma lipoproteins (d over 1.1 g.cm-3) of guinea-pigs with experimental vitamin C deficiency, followed by realimentation with suboptimal (1 mg/animal per day) or optimal (10 mg/animal per day) doses of L-ascorbic acid for 6-9 weeks in the continued presence of an elevated alimentary cholesterol intake (0.5 g/kg diet), did not exceed 5% of the total plasma cholesterol concentration and did not alter significantly with changes in the degree of vitamin C saturation of the organism. The maximum total body tissue cholesterol concentrations were found in C-deficient guinea-pigs (plasma, adrenals) and in the group with partial vitamin C deficiency (liver, brain); the lowest values were found in the group whose organism was fully saturated with vitamin C. Under conditions of a raised cholesterol intake, ascorbic acid stimulated its elimination from the organism, but did not affect the proportion of plasma cholesterol bound in high-density lipoproteins.     

Relationship Between Leucocyte and Plasma Ascorbic Acid Concentrations

Leucocyte and plasma ascorbic acid values were measured in healthy students, adult factory employees, and old people not receiving supplementary vitamin C and in healthy old people receiving 500 mg of vitamin C daily. Significant positive correlations between leucocyte and plasma ascorbic acid were found in all the groups. The regression lines differed significantly between one another within the sexes, but the pooled lines for each sex did not differ significantly in the unsupplemented groups. The relationship between plasma and leucocyte ascorbic acid values in the supplemented group differed significantly from that in the pooled unsupplemented groups.There was a limited range of variation in leucocyte ascorbic acid values compared with the range in plasma values in the supplemented group, whereas there was a wider range of variation in the leucocyte values in the unsupplemented groups. Leucocytes can therefore achieve a saturation level of ascorbic acid. Measurement of leucocyte ascorbic acid concentrations alone does not provide a reliable guide for the estimation of tissue status of ascorbic acid in normal individuals. Leucocyte concentrations provide a measure of the availability of ascorbic acid for storage, and plasma levels give an indication of its metabolic turnover rate. When these values are related the regression lines provide information about the storage and metabolism of ascorbic acid in normal individuals.     

Short-term ascorbic acid deficiency induced oxidative stress in the retinas of young guinea pigs

We examined whether short-term ascorbic acid deficiency induces oxidative stress in the retinas of young guinea pigs. Four-week-old guinea pigs were given a scorbutic diet (20 g/animal/day) with and without adequate ascorbic acid (400 mg/animal/day) in drinking water for 3 weeks. The serum concentrations of the reduced form of ascorbic acid and the oxidized form of ascorbic acid in the deficient group were 14.1 and 4.1%, respectively, of those in the adequate group. The retinal contents of the reduced form of ascorbic acid and the oxidized form of ascorbic acid in the deficient group were 6.4 and 27.3%, respectively, of those in the adequate group. The retinal content of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, an index of lipid peroxidation, was 1.9-fold higher in the deficient group than in the adequate group. Retinal reduced glutathione and vitamin E contents in the deficient group were 70.1 and 69.4%, respectively, of those in the adequate group. This ascorbic acid deficiency did not affect serum thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances and reduced glutathione concentrations but increased serum vitamin E concentration. These results indicate that short-term ascorbic acid deficiency induces oxidative stress in the retinas of young guinea pigs without disrupting systemic antioxidant status.     

Effect of dietary vitamin C on the growth performance and innate immunity of juvenile cobia (Rachycentron canadum)

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary vitamin C on growth performance, hematologic parameters and innate immune responses in juvenile cobia, Rachycentron canadum. Seven practical diets were formulated to contain 0.0 (as the basal diet), 13.6, 27.2, 54.4, 96.6, 193.4 and 386.5 mg ascorbic acid equivalent kg(-1) diet. Each diet was fed to triplicate groups of juvenile cobia with initial body weight of 5.5 g in 500-L cylindrical fiberglass tank. The results of 8 weeks feeding trial showed that typical vitamin C-deficient signs such as spinal deformation and body nigrescence were observed in the fish fed the basal diet. Fish fed the basal diet had significantly lower weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR), protein efficiency ratio (PER) and feed efficiency (FE) than those fed the diets supplemented with vitamin C, but no significant differences were observed among diets supplemented with vitamin C. However, survival rate was significantly affected by the dietary vitamin C levels, fish fed the basal diet had lower survival rate than those fed the diets supplemented with vitamin C. The ascorbic acid concentration in liver was correlated positively with the dietary vitamin C levels, however, the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) concentrations in liver was not significantly affected by the dietary vitamin C levels, although, fish fed the basal diet had the highest TBARS values among all treatments. The activities of serum lysozyme, superoxide dismutase (SOD), alkaline phophatase (AKP) and total immunoglobulin (Ig) were significantly influenced by the dietary vitamin C levels, fish fed the basal diet had lower lysozyme, SOD, AKP and total Ig than those fed diets supplemented with vitamin C. The serum glucose and triglyceride concentrations were significantly affected by the dietary vitamin C levels. Fish fed the basal diet had lower red blood cell and hemoglobin values than those fed the vitamin C supplemented diets. The challenge experiment with Vibrio harveyi showed that lower cumulative survival was in fish fed the unsupplemented diet, the cumulative survival were significantly increased with increase of the dietary ascorbic acid levels from 13.6 to 96.6 mg kg(-1), while the cumulative survival reached plateau when dietary ascorbic acid levels increased from 96.6 to 386.5 mg kg(-1). These results indicated that dietary vitamin C did significantly influence on growth performance and immune response of juvenile cobia.     

The effect of vitamin C on the ratio of collagen types I and III in the periprosthesis area in mice

The aim of this study was to examine the collagen-stimulating effect of ascorbic acid on the growth of the Parieten ProGrip implanted synthetic hernia prosthesis. The characteristics of collagenogenesis in the anterior abdominal wall were assayed with polarized microscopy. We suggest a new way to stimulate a reparation process with ascorbic acid that will help to optimize forming functionally matured structures of connective tissue of the anterior abdominal wall surrounding endoprosthesis. The results of our investigation show that vitamin C has a positive effect on the collagen synthesis in the periprosthetic capsule for any type of endoprosthesis. This was proven by the statistically significant increase in the ratio of collagen I and III types with vitamin C to the animal diet.     

Ascorbic acid influences the development and immunocompetence of larval Heliothis virescens

Ascorbic acid, known to be a free radical scavenger and vital to insect development, is important in larval resistance to baculovirus infection. We sequentially elevated the ascorbic acid content in an ascorbic acid-depleted diet and evaluated the effect on larval Heliothis virescens (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) development and immunocompetence. Dietary ascorbic acid levels lower than 0.7 g l⁻¹ slowed the growth rate of larvae, reduced pupal weights significantly, and severely inhibited adult emergence. Larvae developing on ascorbic acid-free diet experienced far higher levels of mortality following per os infection with virus. Additionally, viral infection in larvae fed an ascorbic acid-free diet, as monitored by epifluorescence microscopy, showed signs of infection much earlier than larvae fed control levels of ascorbic acid. These results demonstrate an indirect correlation between the level of ascorbic acid in the food stream of larval H. virescens and the susceptibility of the insect to baculoviral infection.     

Differential effects of protein malnutrition and ascorbic acid deficiency on histidine metabolism in the brains of infant nonhuman primates

Abstract: Male infant nonhuman primates (M. nemes-trina) born in captivity were used in the study. They were divided into three groups. The first group of three animals was fed a 20% casein diet and the second group of six monkeys received a 2.0% casein diet. The third group of four monkeys received a 20% casein diet totally devoid of ascorbic acid for 3.5 weeks before the diet was supplemented with ascorbic acid (20 mg/kg diet). All the diets were given to the animals in two daily rations of 100 g/animal. The monkeys fed a 2% casein diet failed to grow, and after about 3.5 months showed variable degrees of edema, hypoalbuminemia, evidence of psychomotor disturbance, depressed plasma levels of many essential amino acids, and other features consistent with the diagnosis of protein-energy malnutrition. Examination of the brains revealed significant alterations in the levels of histidine (+ 172%) and homocarnosine (+ 146%) in comparison with the control well-fed monkeys. Associated with the increase in brain histidine was a marked elevation of brain histamine level. Protein deficiency also led to poor brain retention of ascorbic acid but not to the same degree observed in the ascorbic acid-deficient animals. The latter group of animals, after receiving their diet for about 8 months, demonstrated a modest elevation in the plasma levels of most amino acids in comparison with controls. Ascorbic acid deficiency elicited a significant reduction (p < 0.01) in brain level of histidine, with hardly any change in homocarnosine level. In addition, vitamin C deficiency produced elevation of brain histamine level comparable to findings in the protein-energy-deficient monkeys. The results suggested that protein deficiency raised brain histamine level mainly through increased availability of the precursor amino acid histidine, while defective degradation might account for the increased brain level of this amine in ascorbic acid-deficient monkeys. Histamine has been proposed to have a predominantly depressant action on relevant neurons, and has also been shown to participate with other neuro-transmitters in influencing the function of the pituitary gland by regulating release of the hypothalamic hormones into the portal vessels. The relevance of the findings of marked increases in brain histamine in experimental protein and ascorbic acid deficiencies to the behavioral and extensive endocrinological alterations seen in human malnutrition deserves some intensive investigation.     

Vitamin C - vitamin E interaction in juvenile lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens R.), a fish able to synthesize ascorbic acid

The hypothesis that vitamin C interacts with vitamin E in vivo was investigated in juvenile lake sturgeon. Ten-month old lake sturgeon were fed diets supplemented with either 0 or 1250 mg ascorbic acid/kg diet concomitantly with either 0 or 200 mg α tocopherol/kg diet for 7 weeks at 17°C. Dietary vitamin C supplement resulted in significant increases of ascorbate concentrations in the posterior kidney and liver of sturgeon. Dietary vitamin E omission affected liver concentrations of α-tocopherol (10.0 ± 4.5 μg/g) in comparison to sturgeon fed a diet supplemented with vitamin E and vitamin C (99.5 ± 22.9 μg/g). Dietary vitamin C supplement decreased liver α-tocopherol concentration in vitamin E-deprived sturgeon. Also, vitamin E supplement lowered posterior kidney and liver ascorbic acid concentrations in vitamin C-deprived sturgeon. Gulonolactone oxidase and dehydroascorbic acid reductase activities were stimulated in groups fed vitamin C. Thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances concentrations (an indicator of lipid peroxidation) were higher in sturgeon fed either of vitamins as compared to sturgeon deprived of both vitamins. The results suggested that large doses of vitamins C and E may be prooxidant in vivo.     

Vitamin C deficiency in Channa punctatus Bloch

The results of a series of experiments on Channa punctatus previously conditioned to a complete synthetic diet and later fed vitamin C deficient diet for 210 days followed by 30 days of recovery with fortified vitamin C ration are reported. The survival, growth, morphological abnormalities and biochemical changes in tissue ascorbic acid and cholesterol levels were studied.
Deficiency of vitamin C resulted in a mortality of up to 25% and retarded growth accompanied by anorexia and loss of weight. Marked skeletal abnormalities, viz. , lordosis, scoliosis and degenerative changes in the thoracic vertebrae were revealed by X-ray studies. Biochemical investigations showed a significant decrease in blood and kidney ascorbic acid levels within a month of feeding the deficient diet. A prolonged deficiency beyond 150 days resulted in a rapid rise in the cholesterol content of the liver. These biochemical changes were reversed when vitamin C was added to the ration.     

Association between the plasma proteome and serum ascorbic acid concentrations in humans

Vitamin C has been associated with a reduced risk of chronic diseases, but the biological pathways regulated by vitamin C are not all known. The objective was to use a proteomics approach to identify plasma proteins associated with circulating levels of ascorbic acid. Men and women (n= 1022) 20–29 years of age from the Toronto Nutrigenomics and Health Study completed a general health and lifestyle questionnaire and a 196-item food frequency questionnaire and provided a fasting blood sample. Circulating ascorbic acid was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography, and a mass-spectrometry-based multiple reaction monitoring method was used to measure 54 proteins abundant in plasma that are involved in numerous physiologic pathways. Mean protein concentrations were compared across tertiles of serum ascorbic acid using analysis of covariance adjusted for sex, ethnocultural group, season of blood draw, hormonal contraceptive use among women, waist circumference and tertiles of plasma α-tocopherol. A Bonferroni significance level of P<.0009 was applied, and analyses were adjusted for multiple comparisons using the Tukey–Kramer procedure. Levels of complement C9, ceruloplasmin, alpha-1-anti-trypsin, angiotensinogen, complement C3, vitamin D binding protein and plasminogen were inversely associated with levels of ascorbic acid. The inverse association between ascorbic acid and vitamin D binding protein was highest in those with higher levels of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D. In conclusion, several plasma proteins from various physiologic pathways are significantly associated with circulating levels of ascorbic acid. These findings suggest that vitamin C may have novel physiological effects.     

Influence of vitamin C on cadmium absorption and distribution in rats

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of a dietary vitamin C supplement on cadmium absorption and distribution in an animal model. An aqueous solution of cadmium chloride (labelled with cadmium-109) was given by gavage to male Wistar rats for 28 days at a daily dose corresponding to 10 mg Cd/kg diet (1.0-1.2 mg Cd/kg b.w.). The animals assigned to groups 1 and 2 (45 animals per group) received a standard laboratory diet LSM, and tap water or tap water supplemented with ascorbic acid (1.5 mg/l), respectively. The radioactivity of the samples was measured using a liquid scintillation counter (tissue samples) and a gas-flow automatic counter (ashed carcasses). The fractional uptake of cadmium-109 in the carcass and organs was evaluated within 32 days after treatment by dividing the cadmium-109 activity in the whole sample by the total activity of cadmium-109 administered for 28 days. Results were compared using AUC (areas under the concentration time curve) values. The vitamin C supplement decreased the carcass cadmium burden and the cadmium content in the liver, kidneys, testicles and muscles; the highest decreases were found in the testicles, the lowest ones in the muscles. In addition, the rats supplemented with vitamin C revealed an improved body weight gain during the experimental period.     

Ethanol-ascorbate interrelationship in acute and chronic alcoholism in the guinea pig

The effects of low (200 ppm) and of high (2000 ppm) ascorbic acid, in a nutritionally adequate diet, on blood ethanol levels have been studied in permanently carotid-cannulated, ethanol-infused, unanesthetized guinea pigs. In the acute study, the postinfusion rate of ethanol decline in the blood of animals treated with ascorbic acid was significantly higher when compared with animals treated with fructose, and the rate in the two treated groups was significantly higher than in untreated controls. In the chronic study, animals were infused with sublethal doses of ethanol (30% of the total caloric intake) for 8 weeks. Blood ethanol levels monitored throughout this period showed, at 3 hr postinfusion, a lower concentration in the group on a high ascorbic acid diet. Both experimental groups receiving ethanol lost significantly more body weight in the second week of dieting; but, while the group on high ascorbic acid regained weight steadily thereafter, the group on low ascorbic acid was still 50 g below the controls at the end of the experiment. Liver, kidney, and adrenal ascorbic acid concentrations were lower in the ethanol-treated groups compared to controls. Examination of the liver revealed more fatty metamorphosis or steatosis in the low ascorbic acid group, but there was no evidence of liver fibrosis or cirrhosis. These results demonstrate the feasibility of utilizing the guinea pig for the study of the biochemical and morphological sequelae of alcoholism. They further support the contention that a diet which is nutritionally adequate may no longer be so in the presence of high ethanol intake, and that supplemental vitamin C ingestion may afford protection against ethanol toxicity.     

Metabolic engineering of an alternative pathway for ascorbic acid biosynthesis in plants

Plants and most animals can synthesize their own L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C), but a mutation in the L-gulono--lactone oxidase gene in the primate lineage makes it necessary for humans to acquire this vital compound from their diet. Despite the fact that plants and animals synthesize ascorbic acid via different pathways, transgenic tobacco and lettuce plants expressing a rat cDNA encoding L-gulono--lactone oxidase accumulated up to seven times more ascorbic acid than untransformed plants. These results demonstrate that basal levels of ascorbic acid in plants can be significantly increased by expressing a single gene from the animal pathway.     

Effects of Dietary Chromium Picolinate and Ascorbic Acid Supplementation on Egg Production,Egg Quality and Some Serum Metabolites of Laying Hens Reared under a Low Ambient Temperature (6 °C)

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of chromium (chromium picolinate, Cr Pic) and vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) supplementation on egg production and egg quality in laying hens (Hy-Line) kept at 18 °C (at thermo-neutral zone) or 6 °C (cold stress) in temperature-controlled rooms. One hundred and fifty laying hens (32 week-old) were divided into 5 groups, 30 hens per group. The laying hens kept at 6 °C temperature were fed either a basal diet (low temperature-basal diet, LTB group) or the basal diet supplemented with either 400 µg of Cr per kg diet (Cr group), 250mg of L-ascorbic acid per kg diet (Vit C group) or 400 µg of Cr plus 250mg of L-ascorbic acid per kg diet (Vit C + Cr group) while hens kept at 18 °C fed a basal diet (thermo-neutral-basal diet, TNB group). Performance and egg quality were significantly reduced in LTB group compared with TNB group. Supplemental chromium and vitamin C significantly increased live weight change, egg production, and improved feed efficiency in cold-stressed hens compared with group fed the basal diet at 6 °C brought up to the values of the group reared under thermoneutral conditions (18 °C). Egg production and egg weight were also greater in each supplemental group compared with the LTB group. Separately or as a combination, supplemental chromium and vitamin C increased serum insulin but decreased corticosterone, glucose and cholesterol concentrations. Results of the present study show that supplementing vitamin C and chromium, particularly as a combination, improved the performance of cold-stressed hens. Such a combination of supplement can offer a potential protective management practice in preventing cold stress-related losses in performance of laying hens.     

维生素C对凡纳滨对虾生长及抗病力的影响

以不同水平维生素C 2 磷酸酯 (添加量分别为 0、75、15 0、30 0和 6 0 0mg/kg)的饲料喂养凡纳滨对虾 10周 ,研究维生素C 2 磷酸酯对凡纳滨对虾生长及抗病力的影响。结果显示 :在养殖前 4周 ,饲料中添加维生素C 2 磷酸酯显著促进凡纳滨对虾的生长 ,然而对对虾的成活以及饲料利用不产生影响 (P >0 0 5 ) ;而到实验后期添加维生素C 2 磷酸酯不能促进凡纳滨对虾的生长 ,却显著提高凡纳滨对虾的成活率 (P <0 0 5 )。维生素C 2 磷酸酯对对虾体水分、脂肪、蛋白质和维生素C在肝胰脏中的积累量的影响显著 (P <0 0 5 ) ,对对虾体灰分影响不显著 (P >0 0 5 )。维生素C 2 磷酸酯对对虾血清中超氧化物歧化酶活力无显著影响 ,饲料中未添加维生素C或过量添加 (超过 30 0mg/kg饲料 )均导致血清中酚氧化酶活力、血细胞总数和溶菌酶活力的显著下降。以生长、成活和酚氧化酶活力为指标 ,饲料中维生素C 2 磷酸酯的适宜添加量为 15 0mg/kg。     

Effect of different doses of ascorbic acid on thyroid activity in rats at different levels of dietary protein intake.

Rats, which can synthesize vitamin C, react similarly to graded doses of ascorbic acid as guinea pigs. Low doses of ascorbic acid stimulate and high doses inhibit the thyroid activity of rats which are supplied with normal and high percentages of protein. The stimulatory effect of low doses of ascorbic acid on hyperactive thyroid of high protein fed animals is additive. Ascorbic acid has no significant effect on the thyroid of low protein fed animals (deficient diet supplied for 21 days). In the initial stages of protein deficiency (deficient diet supplied for 11 days) the effectiveness of vitamin C on thyroid of rats was still significant. Deiodinase enzyme activity of peripheral tissues is markedly reduced in animals supplied with 2% of protein for 21 days, but this effect is less intense in animals supplied with 2% of protein for 11 days.     

The effects of some antioxidant vitamin- and trace element-supplemented diets on activities of SOD, CAT, GSH-Px and LPO levels in chicken tissues

The effect of diets containing antioxidant vitamins and trace elements on chicken tissue activities of SOD, CAT, GSH-Px and of LPO levels was investigated. Chickens, 45 weeks of age were divided into six groups: control group, Cu group (13.2 mg Cu kg(-1) diet); Se group (0.07 mg Se kg(-l) diet); vitamin E group (70 mg DL-alpha-tocopherol acetate kg(-1) diet) and a constant level vitamin C, 200 mg kg(-1) diet); vitamin A group (240 mg retinol acetate kg(-1) diet) and vitamin C group (500 mg ascorbic acid kg(-1) diet). Significant variation of these antioxidant enzyme activities and LPO levels according to gender was demonstrated statistically. In the Cu group, CuZnSOD activity in the liver, erythrocyte, kidney and heart significantly increased by 75, 40, 12, 12% respectively (P<0.05). MnSOD activity in the heart, liver, kidney and brain of the vitamin C and in the heart of Cu group were found to be increased by approximately 15%, while in liver tissue of the Cu group it was reduced by 19% (P<0.05). GSH-Px activities in the Se, vitamin E and C groups were significantly increased, conversely LPO levels decreased (P<0.001). CAT activities in the liver and heart of the vitamin C group were significantly decreased (by 32%), but in kidney tissue only that of the Cu group was increased from 30.2 +/- 4.767 to 144.49 +/- 6.93 U mg(-1) P<0.001. The resistance to stress of the vitamin E and C groups, which had significantly increased activities of antioxidant enzymes and decreased lipid peroxide levels, were determined in 60% moisture medium at 45 degrees C.     

Effects of phosphorus and vitamin C deficiency,vitamin A toxicity,and lipid peroxidation on skeletal abnormalities in Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus)

Dietary nutrients play an important role in skeletal tissue metabolism of fish. Deficiency and toxicity of certain nutrients have been linked to bone deformities in larval and juvenile fish. The pathogenesis of skeletal disorders in larval and juvenile fish from the same genetic stock, cultured under similar environment conditions is often difficult to distinguish when marginal deficiencies of multiple nutrients are involved. A study was conducted to characterize the skeletal deformities linked to the deficiency of phosphorus and ascorbic acid, vitamin A toxicity and lipid peroxidation in juvenile halibut. Five experimental diets containing a low level of phosphorus (0.5% dry matter basis), no vitamin C supplement, high level of vitamin A (80 000 IU kg^?1) and oxidized marine fish oil (peroxide value, 7.53 meq kg^?1) and a control diet based on cod fillet and vitamin free casein were fed to juvenile Atlantic halibut for 14 weeks in an attempt to characterize the skeletal deformities. Phosphorus, ascorbic acid, retinol, and α‐tocopherol concentrations of liver and kidney were measured at 0 and 14 weeks. Reduced vertebral ash and phosphorus content were observed in fish fed the low phosphorus diet. Skeletal abnormalities included abnormal hemal and neural spines in the hemal region and scoliosis in the cephalic and hemal regions of the vertebral column. Hepatic and kidney ascorbic acid concentrations were significantly lower in the group fed no ascorbic acid supplement. Skeletal abnormalities were scoliosis and lordosis primarily in the hemal region of the vertebral column. High levels of vitamin A in the diet caused increased hepatic retinol content and scoliosis spanning the cephalic/prehemal and anterior hemal regions of the vertebral column. Fish fed the oxidized oil diet showed increased thiobarbituric acid (TBA) value in the liver and muscle tissue with no significant decrease in hepatic vitamin E concentration. The most frequent skeletal deformity observed was scoliosis, spanning the cephalic/prehemal regions as well as the anterior hemal region of the vertebral column. The pattern and type of abnormalities observed in fish fed these experimental diets were similar to those observed in a commercial halibut hatchery.     

Improved method for simultaneous determination of ascorbic acid and dehydroascorbic acid,isoascorbic acid and dehydroisoascorbic acid in food and biological samples

The total vitamin C amount in different food and plasma samples was determined by a dual detection system, after HPLC separation, with direct detection of ascorbic acid and indirect fluorimetric detection of dehydroascorbic acid after a post-column O-phenyldiamine derivatisation. The two active forms of vitamin C and their d-isomers were separated within 10 min. The repeatability was determined by measurement of several fruits and vegetables and ranged from 0.3 to 1.9% (relative standard deviation) for vitamin C. The reproducibility, based on double determinations, ranged from 1.9 to 3.6% for vitamin C, depending on the matrix. The reproducibility, based on several determinations of reference materials, ranged from 2.4 to 3.7% for ascorbic acid and from 4.3 to 5.8% for dehydroascorbic acid, again depending on the matrix.